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Friday, 21 December 2012

Since 1959, are we supposed to do something on our own?

There has been no legal restriction on fasting and abstinence since 1959. Before that date, the usual rules were in effect. Some families kept the fasting, as in not eating between meals and having the two meals not equal the third, and the abstinence from meat for years and years.

I heartily encourage fasting and abstinence tomorrow in preparation for Christmas. It make sense to prepare for all the major feasts by penitence.

Because of parties and family gatherings, fasting and abstinence have all but disappeared from the Catholic culture since 1959. Such is progress...but I think not.

Curtailing eating helps us remember why we are here-in this vale of tears-to prepare for the coming of Christ in our lives and in the world.

The Eastern Catholics do a better job on this. Here is a list of their penitential days.1. All Fridays of the year except when:a. Great Feasts of the Lord or the Theotokos falls on a Fridayb. Period from Christmas to Theophanyc. From the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee to the Sunday of the Prodigal Sond. Pascha to Thomas Sundaye. Pentecost to All Saints Sunday

2. To abstain from meat and dairy products on the First Day of Lent and on Good Friday

3. Abstain from meat ona. Day before Christmas and day before Theophanyb. Exhalation of the Holy Crossc. Beheading of Saint John the Forerunner
Perhaps your family this year could try to abstain and fast this Christmas Eve. God bless you.

Leon Bloy

Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma

The Church Must Not Be Defensive

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Too many Church leaders do not think, or do not think as Catholics

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GUILD PRAYER

God our Father, source of life and freedom, through Your Holy Spirit you gave the Carmelite, Titus Brandsma the courage to affirm human dignity even in the midst of suffering and degrading persecution.

Grant us that same spirit so that, in refusing all compromise with error we may always and everywhere give coherent witness to Your abiding presence among us.